Former soldier receives postcard 58 years late

A former British soldier has by a "remarkable coincidence" received a postcard 58 years after his mother sent it to him while he was on national service in Egypt.

Terry Crolley, 75, was stationed in Egypt in 1953 when his mother sent him a postcard from Liverpool but he never received it, the Daily Mail reported.

Incredibly, this year Mr Crolley's nephew found the card in a collectibles sale on eBay, where he bought it for £0.99 ($1.48) and gave it to his uncle.

The 75-year-old grandfather said he was unaware his mother had even written him the card and was "completely overwhelmed" to receive it.

Mr Crolley said his 10-year-old granddaughter told him he must have been sad not to have received it until now but the grandfather told the Daily Mail it was a case of better late than never.

Collector James Cover, who sold the postcard on eBay, said it was a miracle that Mr Crolley's nephew spotted the card in his collection numbering in the thousands but that he was "so happy" that the card had found its rightful owner.

In another coincidence, the postcard arrived in time for Mr Crolley's 50th wedding anniversary.